Merlin: the answer to that question tends to be that if the character never develops any depth -- beyond the static role of helping the heroes -- then the

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, Jan 29, 2012

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Merlin: the answer to that question tends to be that if the character never develops any depth -- beyond the static role of helping the heroes -- then the character may be a stereotype or trope rather than a fully developed character. Does the character have relationships that are his own, not dependent on the heroes? Does he take a great stand against the enemies on his own? Even the film version of Gandalf has qualities and relationships outside guiding Frodo -- especially as Frodo isn't even with Gandalf for most of the trilogy -- and serving as a mentor for Aragorn. Gandalf's relationship to Saruman, for example, shows that he's got more character background than just an archetype. That background doesn't have to be explored, but it should be, in some way, revealed, or he's a stock character -- an archetype.

That's particularly dangerous when it's used about people of minorities, because it means the (usually white) writer is using stereotype and archetype to create a character, rather than creating real characters.

If the "Magic Negro" concept ever had any value, the list of such characters in film and literature that is linked from the wikipedia article seems determined to make nonsense of it. If God as played by Morgan Freeman in BRUCE ALMIGHTY and EVAN ALMIGHTY qualifies, I can't see why God as played by George Burns in the three OH, GOD! movies should not -- apart from his race. What's is God's race, anyway?

To keep this on topic: a few years ago I read some online discussion about color-blind casting for THE HOBBIT -- including the suggestion of Morgan Freeman for Gandalf.*

It has come to my attention that Verlyn Flieger's new book, Green Suns and Faërie: Essays on J.R.R. Tolkien is now available for purchase, both directly from the publisher, Kent State University Press, and from Amazon and other retailers. This book was originally due to be published last August, but was delayed by the publisher. It doesn't seem to have been well publicized that the book is now available, so I thought I would spread the word. I obviously don't need to emphasize how perceptive Verlyn's observations about Tolkien are. Most of you are well aware of that fact!